Under the patronage of Prof. Abdullah bin Omar Bafil, President of Umm Al-Qura University (UQU), the Annual Introductory Meeting for Female Graduate Students was attended by Dr. Sarah bint Omar Al-Khouly, UQU Vice President for Female Students’ Affairs, on Monday, 30^th Dhulhijjah 1439H. The event was organized by the Deanship of Graduate Studies for the first semester of the academic year 1439/1440H. The event also witnessed the attendance of Dr. Hala bint Saeed Al-Amoudy (Dean of the University Studies for Girls) and Dr. Kholoud bint Saad Al-Yusuf (Vice Dean of the University Studies for Girls for Development and Educational Affairs). It was broadcast live from King Saud Hall in the University City of Abediyah (Boys Section) to Khuqair Hall in Al-Zaher Girls Section).

During the event, Dr. Sarah Al-Khouly warmly received Dr. Maisoun bin Zaid bin Nasser Al-Bunian (Vice Dean of Graduate Studies), Dr. Somaya bint Hashim Hariri (Vice Dean of Graduate Studies for Development), as well as the affiliates of the Deanship, female vice deans of deanships, staff members and graduate students.

The meeting started with a Quranic recitation followed by the speech of Dr. Saeed bin Abdurrahman Al-Harithy, Dean of Graduate Studies, in which he accentuated the significance of such event. In other words, he said that the meeting aimed to introduce female graduate students to the regulations, systems and services provided to them by the relevant UQU bodies, and to overcome all difficulties facing them. In addition, he pointed out that the meeting was held for about 1250 graduate students of both genders who were admitted during the academic year 1439/1440H. He also hailed the support and advice given by Prof. Abdullah Bafil, and appreciated the efforts exerted by the Deanship of Graduate Studies in such fruitful meetings.

In the same context, Dr. Thamer Al-Harby, UQU Vice President for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, congratulated the admitted graduate students of both genders during the academic year 1439/1440H. He stressed the significance of the development of the educational system and the preparation of competencies. He added that competencies played a purposeful role by identifying the regulations and systems sought by the Deanship of Graduate Studies to be clarified for the benefit of graduate students.

This was followed by the speech of Prof. Abdullah Bafil in which he urged all graduate students to spare no effort in studies, develop research theses, and keep up with all the updates in the development renaissance that would improve the educational process at the university. He also wished everyone guidance and success.   

Within the same vein, the meeting was enriched with a model for a successful experience presented by Dr. Somaya bint Ezzat Sharaf, Vice Dean of Scientific Research for Voluntary Research. She shed light on the fulfillments of the beginning of academic achievement in the Master’s and PhD stages of graduate studies. She also confirmed the concern with keeping pace with the knowledge-based development, accepting challenges, completing requirements, strengthening relations and knowing all the department’s guidelines to harvest the fruits of achievement.

Then, Dr. Sarah Al-Khouly gave a speech to express the significance of the knowledge base for all UQU students in identifying the systems, regulations and services provided by the Deanship of Graduate Studies. She added that this would have a significant positive impact on the development of this system.  

Afterwards, Dr. Maisoun Al-Bunian demonstrated the regulations of graduate studies. She also introduced the services provided by the supporting deanships such as the Deanships of Scientific Research, Library Affairs, Student Affairs, E-Learning, as well as the Institute of Entrepreneurship.  

At the end of the meeting, all questions and queries were answered.